Train hits van at level crossing in Lower Road, Teynham

Kent commuters were struggling to get home tonight after a train crash caused havoc to rush-hour rail services.

The incident happened at 3pm this afternoon when a high-speed Javelin train on its way to London St Pancras struck a delivery van on a level crossing near Teynham between Faversham and Sittingbourne.

The van driver, a man in his 30s, was taken to hospital with head injuries.

The front of the train was damaged in a collision with the train

British Transport Police said officers were called to the scene at Frognal Farm crossing on the Lower Road after reports a train had struck a van. Kent Police and ambulance staff were also there.

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said: "The patient was fully conscious but had a head injury. The patient has been taken to Medway Maritime Hospital."

The spokesman added: "There is nothing to suggest anything life-changing but enough to need further treatment."

The damage to the front of a van after it was hit by a train off Lower Road, Teynham

The train was left with a large gash ripped in its front nose cone. The front of the van's bonnet was ripped off in the collision.

Train company Southeastern confirmed the crash was causing huge delays to commuter train services between London and the Kent Coast tonight while British Transport Police warned of "significant delays" as inquiries were completed.

NEW: Because of an incident at a level crossing near #Teynham, trains are unable to run between Sittingbourne and Faversham. More to follow.

The incident had a knock-on effect across the rail network with at least one Kent-bound train from London reportedly being delayed due to no train management being available as staff were displaced by the Teynham incident.

Passengers also reported chaotic scenes at Ebbsfleet station as many got off early to avoid the replacement bus service and get lifts from friends and family, creating long traffic queues around the station.